Nairobi, April 19 -- As the clock ticks towards next year's General Election, it is increasingly becoming evident that money threatens to undermine the people's right to freely elect their leaders.

Unfortunately, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is unable to strictly monitor and regulate how candidates and political parties source and spend money.

A study by some experts calls for regular audits of the financial accounts of political parties to ensure transparency. Party financing mechanisms should be reformed to promote equity, accountability and value for money for the taxpayers.

The huge impact of money on politics is turning the electoral process into an auction, where the highest spender gains an unfair a...